Category: Gear

When you first get into hiking buying all the gear can become very expensive. Some people may be able to get completely outfitted at REI with all of the best, but if not ,read on. You may be tempted to buy all the cheapest gear just so you can afford to get out there but…

Warranties are designed to suck We purchased our two equinox kayaks about a month ago. A week later we unboxed the pair and loaded both carefully on top of our mini-van heading for the muddy waters of the Rio Grande. In the Rio Grande Valley and throughout the Santa Elana Canyon we battle tested our kayaks against…

Cheap gear is awesome! Except these… First of all, we love cheap gear. We have written before about the best gear to get for cheap and how to make your money go further when acquiring gear. There are some items for camping, hiking and backpacking that you should never cheap out on. Putting more money into…

Like the M2 only better! Aegismax, the company who gave us the M2 ultralight down sleeping bag, has made huge strides in design and comfort of their new M3 bag. We liked the M2 so much we had to try out the M3 and we weren’t disappointed. I ended up sending back my Teton Leaf…

Down sleeping bags are the ultimate bags for backpackers. Lightweight and compact but still super warm you can’t ask for much more. However, to stay in top shape they do take special care. To ensure your down bag keeps you warm for years to come follow these guidelines. Preparing your bag: If you have bought…

With Christmas fast approaching you may be wondering what to get your favorite backpacker. If they already backpack, chances are they have all the necessary equipment. So, in this article I will focus on gear upgrades and extra goodies that can make their time in the backcountry that much better. Sleeping: Sleeping Bags: I am…

When we started backpacking I knew I was going to need a new sleeping bag once colder temperatures hit. The bags I had inherited were very warm, but very heavy cotton bags only suited to car camping. Since my Columbia pack is smaller, at 35L, I needed a bag that would compress down very small….

I finally bought a sleeping bag Last weekend backpacking with kids I didn’t have a bag and I was cold. Each time the down blankets I brought came loose, cold air rushed against my skin waking me up. I was tired the next day from waking so often and wasn’t willing to go through that…

Excellent Design and Under $100 After the last bag I snagged from Walmart, the 45L Ozark Trail backpack, my hopes of finding a well designed backpack under $100 diminished. Then I found the No Limits Firewalker 50L substantially discounted Academy Sports and Outdoors’ website. Academy honors their online sales in store and I was able to pick up…

Deciding on a new sleeping bag can be overwhelming With so many manufacturers out there and so many choices, wading through the options can make you feel more like your drowning. Lets look at a couple of the largest options you’ll have to choose from. What type of insulating material? Common insulation types are…